Gallo urged anyone with an outdoor pet to allow it access to a garage, shed or basement if serious weather is expected — including a great deal of snow.

“If they have to keep them outside, they need to have a doghouse, and it should be filled with hay and other materials, and a heated water bowl so the water’s not freezing,” she added.

Cats, she said, may not need the same kind of care as dogs, as they are usually more resilient.

Gallo does not recommend anyone to allow their cats to wander outside on their own, but she did suggest that those who already have a high amount of feral cats in their area to act accordingly.

“Honk your horn or bang on the hood before you drive, because if it’s very cold cats will sometimes crawl into engines,” she said. “But community or feral cats usually have places where they stay warm.”

Some caretakers will even build shelters for feral cats that are insulated against extreme colds.

“If people love their pets, usually they’ll step up and do what they need to do,” Gallo said.